Sometimes the Universe speaks to me through blog posts, books, and interviews. I know this is happening when the same message keeps popping up. This month’s message is about hunger.
From Hungry Authors: The Indispensable Guide to Planning, Writing, and Publishing a Nonfiction Book by Liz Morrow and Ariel Curry: “The truth about Hungry Authors is that they will stop at nothing to achieve their vision. They have the gumption, drive, and a certain stick-with-it-ness that compels them to keep going, even when the odds are stacked against them.”
From my recent interview with Courtney Maum: “I have to say, the one true thing that moves the needle is just to continue writing, to keep on going. Your first book underperformed, write a second book, write a third book, write a fourth book. Maybe it’s your fourth book that brings people to your first book.”
From a card a dear friend pulled from me over the weekend:
“Eagle reminds you that your spirit was born to soar to the heavens. As you contemplate choices, ask yourself: ‘Do I want to live in a chicken coop, sheltered from life, counting the regular feedings, or do I want to soar like an eagle?’
“What is your divine mission here on Earth? No more excuses.
“Of course, you do not have enough time, enough money, or enough sleep… Yet the time is now to fly to your chosen purpose. If you postpone it, you are betraying yourself. Look through the eyes of Eagle and consider every obstacle an opportunity. Where you set your intention is where you’ll end up. Free yourself and live your highest destiny.”
Sitting with these messages, and meditating on them, led to the following realization: There are two kinds of hunger: ego hunger, which craves recognition, and purpose-driven hunger, which inspires you to be your authentic self.
As writers, we need both.
Ego hunger gives us the audacity to think we can write a book and keeps us going when the odds stack up.
Purpose-driven hunger deepens our stories and ensures they serve others in the highest possible way—even if all we do is make someone smile or feel less alone.
They work symbiotically to support our success.
Here’s a recent example.
In May, I finally found the language for a lifelong struggle. Soon after, a burning in my gut said, “Write about this.” I crafted one of the most vulnerable essays I’ve ever written, then I pitched it to HuffPost. Noah Michaelson accepted it ten minutes later.
Purpose-driven hunger gave me the courage to write this essay. Ego-driven hunger motivated me to send it off for the sake of my author platform. Purpose-driven hunger knows it’s of great service, which quiets my fears about its reception. Ego-driven hunger helps me plan for its launch so that I can broaden my reach.
Here are some ways you can harness the 2 kinds of hunger:
Purpose-Driven Hunger
- Connect with your why. How will this work heal you and change the narrative you’ve lived by? For example, if you’ve been told to stay small and silent, could writing and sharing your story change the script you’ve been living by?
- Identify how your stories are of service to others and how they contribute to the conversations we’re having around a topic.
- Remember your part in the whole. When you show up for yourself, you tell others they have permission to do the same.
Ego-Driven Hunger
- Create audacious dreams.
- Plaster your walls with quotes, affirmations, and strategies that inspire your stick-with-it-ness.
- Show up and take the chances that can turn your dreams into a reality.
When life gets tough, I sharpen my why, which is to heal myself and help others heal through stories.
I prioritize my healing because it fuels my writing.
Most importantly, I keep writing and showing up because that’s how we soar.
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